Monday, November 24, 2008

PUMPKIN BREAD PUDDING - CARAMEL SAUCE

Around the beginning of October, I was contacted by an American foodie from Maryland who had stumbled upon my blog while she was doing a Google search in order to find the site of a certain organic food store (Le Marché De Vie) in Eaux-Vives, Geneva. We exchange a few e-mails and agreed to meet up at my place so as to spend a fun afternoon together, baking something autumnal and delicious...

That's how I got to know this very friendly Graduate Institute student named Jessica who has just moved here from Washington, DC in September and with whom I share a passionate interest in food and cooking/baking.

As we wanted to make a pumpkiny fall/Thanksgiving treat that would be scrumptious, yet not too time-consuming, we opted for a Bon Appétit(you can't go wrong with them) recipe that we found on Epicurious. It sounded so highly promising and droolworthy that we had to make it!

So, a few days later, she came to my place. We got along straight away and chatted like crazy all afternoon while we were preparing what was going to be the most luscious and dirty bread pudding I have ever come across!

This luxurious "Pumpkin Bread Pudding With Caramel Sauce" is incredibly good and lip-smackingly delicious. It is a terribly delightful dessert which will blow you off your feet. The only sound you'll be able to get out is "Mmmmmmmhhhhhhhh"!

We are not talking about just any mainstream pudding here, but about a deadly treat which is undeniably irresistible thanks to it's sheer richness and incomparable taste. The wicked combination of spongy, gooey, sticky and spicy elements contribute to this homey pudding's oomph factor...

Method for the "Caramel Sauce":7. Whisk the brown sugar and butter in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat until butter melts.8. Whisk in the cream and stir until the sugar dissolves and sauce is smooth, about 3 minutes.9. Serve warm with caramel sauce.

Remarks:See info on "half and half" here. I used 1 cup milk and 1 cup thick cream (35% fat) instead.I recommend you to use the following pumpkin:Potimarron (French) = Hokkaido Pumpkin = Chestnut Pumpkin = Baby Red Hubbard = Uchiki Kuri = Chinese Pumpkin = Japanese Pumpkin. You can also make this pudding with Butternut squash, but it will be less tasty.To obtain fresh puree, take your pumpkin, cut it in half, deseed it and peel it, then cut it in cubes and steam. Once it is cooked, mash the pumpkin flesh. It has to be a very smooth and thick (not to wet) puree.Here's how to make homemade "Pumpkin Pie Spice":Mix together 3 1/2 Tsps ground cinnamon, 2 Tsps Ground ginger, 1/2 Tsp ground allspice, 1/4 Tsp ground cloves and 1/2 Tsp ground nutmeg.You can replace the golden raisins by dried cranberries, dried cherries, roasted pecans, etc...This pudding freezes very well.

Serving suggestions:If you want to be real dirty, you can also serve this pudding with some sweetened whipped cream and/or a ball of your favorite ice cream...

O my goodness! I haven't seen such tempting bread pudding in far to long. The ultimate comfort food to share with a new friend. It looks so enticing I can hardly contain myself. Thanks so much for sharing Rosa. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Rosa!! I'm so excited you posted this! And the pictures are AMAZING, especially considering that you only took 4 or 5! the pics bring back memories... mostly of how we couldn't stop chatting for 3 hours, until that deliciousness hit our lips :D

Can't wait for next week, it will be such a great break from studying!

Rosa, I absolutely love this recipe! When my daughter comes to visit me during the New Year, I am making this for her. Glad you have a new friend, and thanks for sharing such a comforting dish with us.

You never fail to come up with sinfully enticing recipes, Rosa! lol I have been entertaining family over the Thanksgiving holiday here in the States,and didn't have time to read any of my favorite blogs for the past week or so, and it is such a treat to return to such wonderful goodies! This looks like a perfect Swiss/American collaboration...you two outdid yourselves!